“The Ray”
Song by Ray Charles
Hipper than possible, “The Ray” is a laid-back instrumental jazz number from The Great Ray Charles, Ray’s first actual album of new music, from 1957. Its structure is based on a simple blues pattern, but it has much more dramatic peaks and troughs thanks in large part to Ray’s deft piano. He either plays respectfully and obediently along with the rhythm section, especially while a saxophone or trumpet is taking a solo, but at other times is stabbing at big, sudden chords or trilling a few notes while the rest of the band stops for a second or two. Either way, it’s impossible not to sway your shoulders and hips back and forth during “The Ray”.
Listen to “The Ray”
Songs on The Great Ray Charles